I've got a Malata, and its a good player all around. Take a look here: http://www.avdeals.com/malata_dvd.htm
I ordered from them back in September. Aside from a clunky interface, and poor remote, I like it. The firmware update they are waiting for may also add DVD-Audio to the player. The player has some DVD-Audio info in its menus, however it doesn't do anything at this time. Rumor has it that this will be activated with a future firmware upgrade. If this is true, it definitely makes it one of the best deals available. Even without that its a good deal already, progressive scan, MP3 playback, codefree, excellent PAL to NTSC conversion, all for less than $300.

Tanner,
No, the Apex is definitely not a good player! Stay away from it. I have so many troubles playing discs. It freezes up a lot during layer changes, it sometimes doesn't letterbox the movies properly, the picture is piss-poor (very dark). There are more faults, but I can't think of them right now.
Go with the Malata.
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As for the bad rap about the characters--hey, I've seen space operas that put their emphasis on human personalities and relationships. They're called "Star Trek" movies. Give me transparent underwater cities and vast hollow senatorial spheres any day. --Roger Ebert on The Phantom Menace AIM: Aureus91 / DVDs / ICQ: 58566493

Since when were Pioneer DVD players not any good?
Go to www.bhphoto.com and try out either one of the Pioneer models they offer. The singled-disc model is a little less than $300 and the 5-disc model is about $450. Search using the keyword "multizone" and they'll show up. They're not meant to be used in the U.S., so there's there's no manufacturer's warranty, but the store offers a 90 day warranty. Not bad if you are comfortable with Pioneer products.

Tom:
I'm also looking at the 600A and 660.
Can't a lot of those problems be cleared up with chip upgrades and proper ventilation? Seems everything I'm reading says that using the latest firmware and keeping the unit cool (sometimes as easy as not putting the unit in a rack, or just drilling a few small holes for air flow) gets the Apexes running smoothly....

My Apex has been running just fine for a year and a half now; no problems at all other than anamorphic PAL doesn't work (this is a fault of all the Apex chips). So I'm looking at a Malata for my non-region-1 player. It seems to have everything and no drawbacks I can see.
Anyone got a set of One For All codes for these players?
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"This movie has warped my fragile little mind."

Quote: 'Since when were Pioneer DVD Players not any good'
I have a Pioneer 525 since 1999 and it works flawlessly.
Although its a R3 player but was mod chip for multi region.
It even decode RCE disc like Patriot & Hollow Man without
problems. A sure winner !